Hanukkah: Why it's not just for Jews

Hanukkah: Why it’s not just for Jews by: Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio    Hanukkah, it is true, is not one of the greatest feasts of ancient Israel.  But neither is it a mere political celebration.    In the second century BC, there was a concerted attempt not to wipe out the Jewish people bodily (unlike Hitler), but to destroy it spiritually by enticing Jews to renounce their religious traditions and embrace the paganism of their Greek rulers.  The Temple of Jerusalem was desecrated with pagan statues and those refusing to eat pork were brutally tortured.  Due to the heroic resistance of the Maccabee family and the faithfulness of God to His people, the Jewish people won freedom and the Temple was purified and re-dedicated.  I think that is something worth celebrating!    The story can be found in the first and second book of Maccabees which is in the Catholic bible and in the Protestant Apocrypha.  My kids love these stories and we read them annually.  The early Christian martyrs found them a tremendous inspiration as they struggled to hold their ground against the brutal persecutions of the pagan Roman Emperors.   In other words, Hanukkah commemorates an event that should be remembered by anyone who honors God and/or believes in religious liberty.  Greater respect for Hanukkah and other Jewish holidays would not only be good for Jews, but for society as a whole.    Pope Pius XI, in the face of Nazi anti-Semitism in the 1930's, said, speaking of Christians, "spiritually, we are all Semites!"   For other articles by Dr. D'Ambrosio to read and download visit the Crossroads Library.   This article on Hanukkah appears in the Advent & Christmas and Virtues & Christian Character sections of The Crossroads Initiative Library. Come to the Table - Meredith Gould Come to the Table is for anyone seeking to integrate the celebration of Hanukkah and other traditions of Judaism together with Christianity. Interfaith families will find it an especially useful companion during Passover and Holy Week. 96 pages/Paperback   I Believe - The Heart of Catholic Faith by: Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D.   What exactly is the Creed? In this dynamic, four-part series, Dr. D'Ambrosio explains how this expression of the fundamental beliefs of our faith is critical to our Christian Lives. He notes that faith is not a denial of the intellect, but rather a fulfillment of our deepest need for the truth - of our deepest need for a relationship with our Creator. The Creed teaches us that God is a communion of Persons - the Trinity. With enlightening metaphors and colorful anecdotes, Dr. D'Ambrosio shows that we are called to "live the Creed" by developing a loving relationship with God the Father, Son, and Spirit, and to have a deep devotion to the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church. I Believe - DVD - $49.95                                     I Believe - CD - $19.95                                        I Believe - Workbook - $6.95   Friendly Defenders Gift Pack - Vols I and II The Friendly Defenders Catholic Flash Cards VOLs I & II are designed to help you "train up your child" so that they will never stray from God's love and from the Catholic Church our Lord Jesus established. The 50 cards within each packet offer common objections people have to the Catholic faith as well as short, pithy answers to these objections. Order today for special pricing!   Meredith Gould - The Catholic Home Using the liturgical calendar, The Catholic Home provides familiar and new ways to celebrate each season and its special days. Gould reviews major holy days, select saints’ days, familiar prayers, and suggests meaningful ways to prepare as a family for such sacraments as Baptism, Confirmation, First Eucharist, and Matrimony. Paperback.   Mountain Miracle - A Christmas Story What if a small, rural Catholic congregation put on a living Nativity after Midnight Mass - and the Holy Family showed up to help? What if Mary and Joseph's "help" included entrusting the real, live Baby Jesus to the wide-eyed youngsters playing them? Read this charming Christmas fable aloud to your family, and children of all ages will delight in the joyful and wondrous answers to both those questions.   Exploring the Catholic Church - DVD When you have questions about the Catholic Church, where do you turn? This mini-series is one of the best places to begin looking for the answers. Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio's presentation style is perfect for seekers and inquirers, new Christians, for RCIA candidates or for Catholics who just want to refresh their faith and practice. An ideal gift for your friends and family!